Float controlled garbage disposer



Feb. 23, 1954 H. JORDAN 2,670,137

FLOAT CONTROLLED GARBAGE DISPOSER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 24, 1947 .ZA/VENTO?.- HA /vs Jo/20AM I Bv H/s A Tron/ vens b21/:m5, MECH, /osrf/ea? HA @fe/5 Eeb. 23, 1954 y H. JORDAN y 2,670,137 K FLOAT CONTROLLED GARBAGE DISPOSER Filed Feb. 24, 1947 5 sheets-sheet 2 v Feb. 23, 1954 H, JORDAN FLOAT CONTROLLED GARBAGE DISPOSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 24, 1947 Jdisposal devices are 'is employed, and

Patented Feb. 23, 1954 FLOAT CONTROLLED GARBAGE DISPGSER Hans Jordan, Los Angeles, Calif.,

assigner, by

mesne assignments, to Given Machinery Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a copartnership Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,482

25 Claims. 1

My invention relates to the waste disposal art and, more particularly, to a device adapted for the comminution and disposal of garbage and other waste materials.

Such devices are generally Well known in the art, one form thereof being illustrated and described in detail in my Patent No. 2,442,812, for Garbage Disposal Device, issued June 8, 1948, to which reference is hereby made for the purpose of a general understanding of such devices` It is conventional practice in the art to supply a waste disposal device with water during operaH tion of the device, so as to assist in the comminution of waste material by the device and the flushing of comminuted material therefrom. A

common expedient in the household use of such disposal devices is to place the device beneath the drain opening of a conventional household sink, and to provide the drain opening with a stopper adapted to permit a flow of water from the sink faucet through the sink and through thc drain opening and into the disposer to assist in the waste material comminution therein. Such normally provided with an electric motor for operating the comminuting means thereof, and usually include electrical switch mechanism adapted to be actuated by a flow of water through the line leading to the cold Water faucet, to energize the motor and thus operate the comminuting means of the device.

Thus, when the faucet is opened by the housewife the flow of water therefrom passes to the dis posal device and, simultaneously, the comminuting means is energized by the electric motor.

It is highly desirable, if not essential, in most of such disposal units that a flow of water or other flushing liquid be supplied to the commi- Inuting means during the operation thereof. If such iiow of water is stopped during operation Vof the comminuting means, waste material, such as garbage, may pack in the disposal device prevent operation of the comminuting means, thereby tending to jam the unit, with attendant damage thereto. In the use of such priorart disposal devices, if a conventional double sink water can then flow to the disposal device. and 'such jamming of the unit, and damage thereto,

may be occasioned. This has been a serious diiculty with conventional types of garbagedisposal devices now on the market.

if during operation of the com It is therefore a primary object of thepresent invention to obviate the diiculties mentioned above in connection with conventional garbage disposal devices, providing a device of this general character in which the comminuting means of the disposal device is deenergized and stopped at any time that Water or other flushing fluid ceases to enter the disposal device, or at any time that water or other flushing iiuid is not passing through the disposal device. The invention has the primary advantage that it may be used with any type of sink indiscriminately, and no care need be taken by the housewife, or other operator, to maintain a flow of water from the faucet or other source directly into the sink to which the disposal device is connected. I prefer to accomplish this by utilizing a float mechanism, actuated by a supply of water, to close a switch adapted to energize the electric motor provided for actuating the comminuting means. While a preferred, specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the basic principle involved may be utilized in other embodiments Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garbage disposal device as described above, including a float mechanism provided in a float reservoir, in which means are provided to limit the maximum level of water that can accumulate in the reservoir, and to convey any surplus to the discharge side of the disposal device. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which locking means are provided to render the oat mechanism inoperative when the drain stopper is removed from the units, so as to insure that the disposal device cannot be energized when the stopper is removed.

A further object of my invention is to' provide a float actuated switch mechanism for a garbage disposal device, which mechanism is actuated by water flowing through the disposal device.` Although I prefer to utilize such a switching mechanism in combination with the inlet of water into the disposal device, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such a switching mechanism may likewise be associated with discharge water owing from the disposal device.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with a garbage disposal device a novel type of drain opening stopper adapted to direct water flowing into the device selectively so as to operate a suitable electrical switching mechanism.

` Still another object of lthe invention is'to provide a stopper device for a household sink, adapted to be selectively adjusted to any one of three alternative positions, in which an open passage is provided through the stopper, or in which a passage is provided that is partially restricted by a straining means, or to a third position in which no water can flow through the stopper.. This type of stopper is of particular utility when used in combination with a garbage disposer device, as it can be employed in its freely open position toy Gther objectsandadvantages of'theinyention reside in the particular ofmstructionA 'disclosed and will appear from the followingtspecication, and the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a utility view partially .in vertical section,v showing the invention installed;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one embodiment of the stopper device of vthe invention, in its 'on. positiono taken on the line 2--2 oi' Fig. l;

Fig. 3. isan enlarged cross-sectional View taken onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4.. is `an .enlarged fragmentary A.elevational view illustrating .the .locking means of the invention;

Fig. 5..is.` an enlarged bottomplan view of the .embodimento .the stopper. device of Fig.. 2;

lig.l 6 isa view similar to 2., but showing this embodiment of the stopper. device in. its seal position; f

Fig. is an other view similar to Fig. 2, but showing this embodiment inits .drain position;

Fig.. 8 is -an enlarged, .f fragmentary sectional view similar to the upper portion of Fig.. 1,y but showing another embodiment oithev stopper device-.of the invention;

Fig. 9 r is anv enlarged plan view ot'the embodiment of the stopper device whichis showninliig. 8, the device being in its-"on-position;.

Fig; 10 is. an enlarged bottom plan` View of the stopper device of Fig. 9; r

Fig. v11 isa View similar-toiFig. 9,- but showing this embodiment of the stopper device in its sea position;

Fig. 12-is'anotherview similar to Fig. 9, but sbowing"'this embodiment in itsl drain position; and y Fig. 13 is an`V enlarged; fragmentary-1 `sectional view taken along the broken linen-43 oi Fig. 10 sin. the direction' of. the arrows therea diacent.

Referring to. Fig. 1 .of thedrawings, 1' show a waste materiali disposal unitiathaving an .electric motor l l and-supported bylal conventional household sink l2.l Allconventional raucetftiL is. provided so asto supplyfwater' to the sink` 21 in the Ausualmanner and 4ist' connected to a suitable source thereoir such asa watenmain: (-:not shown-l.

.Providedfbetween the disposal unit Iufand the sink l2 isa stopperv device tand carried by the ldisposal unit is a mainswitch device t5.

The disposal unit lo may be of any suitable type, suchas: that shown in my. copending application Serial No. 639,753, now Patent No.

comminuting means (not shown) actuated by the 2,442,812, Lpreviously mentioned, wh-ichcontains h which. openings garbage or other waste materials maybe introduced into'the disposal unit. The upper end of the hopper l? is resiliently secured to the bottom of the sink I2 by a ange assembly 20. Associated with the lower portion of the hop- 'per IT aV discharge pipe IB adapted to convey fluid and comminuted material from the interior oithe hopper to al point of disposal, such as, for

-example, a sewer main (not shown).

As best shown in Fig. l, the hopper il' includes an inner wall 2 I, of generally cylindrical cross section and dening an inner comminuting chamber 22, and an outer wall 23 surrounding the inner wall `andderlning an annular space 24 therebejtween. Seated 'on the upper end of the inner wall 2 l', and enclosed by the outer wall 23', is an insert assembly 28 which includesa cylindrical inner wall 2 forming a downward continuation; of the opening I8, and having an outwardlylextending lannular horizontal flange 28. the outer rim of which is spaced slightly from the .outer wall. 23 to'form an annular space 29 therebetween. As best shown in Figs; .l and 3, the insert. assembly 26 also includes vertical .side .walls 30. and 3i connected by a semi-'circular.end.. wall Stand forming a .float chamber 33. Asbestshown in Fig. l.r the float chambercommunicates directly with the annular space 24 through arestricted capacity bleed port 35 and, as will benoted, the

rsidewalls 30. and-3l .have .relatively .low tops. 3S.

The cylindrical. inner wall 21 of the insert assem- ,bly 26 is provided with rperorations 31 oommunieating between .the interior of the .cylindrical -inner walland the oat'chamber 33.

Disposed in the oat chamber 331 isfa hollow .float member 38 which is provided with arms 39 and 49 which extend somewhat upwardly from 1the iioat member soas to pass overthe tops V36 of the side walls 3G and 3i and vthen downwardly,A the other ends of the arms being piv- "otally-mounted. on a `pivot pinV l42 vcarried by suitable bearings provided in the outer wall 23,

asbest shown in Fig. 3. 1Carried by the f pivot pin 42 is an, adjustable .screw member 43 which extends upwardly and" is adapted.` to" engage a contact button I4-o a conventional microswitch 45 forming part of thei'main switch device 15. The micro-switch 45 is suitably carried by the insert; assembly 26,` and access is had:l thereto through an. opening 4E provided in .the outer wall 23;;the opening` normally.' being-closed 'by a coverplatethjwhich isrsuitably secured to the outerr face of :the outer. wall 2S,` by vscrews or otherwise.V

:The micro-switch 45 is provided withelectricaloontacts 49 and 50 which are adapted tobe electrically'connected lin seriesI with' the electric motor H and `an electric power source, in conventional fashion. The micro-switch 45- is of the type suchl that when the contact button` 44 thereof-is'depressedv relative to the body 'of the switch', i. e., when the contact buttonis in its uppermost positionas viewed in Fig. l', the electrical circuit between the contacts 49 and 50 is 1, such extension being permitted only when the adjustable screw member 43 is moved downwardly relative to the micro-switch as will be described hereinafter.

The stopper device i4 includes a collar 52 which extends through the opening l 9 and which is threaded into the ange assembly 2li, and which is provided with an annular top flange 53 which seats in a suitable annular recess formed in the sink l2. The collar 52 is so formed at its lower end as to provide a conical seat 54 and, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with inwardly extending, diametrically opposed, horizontal lips 55 and 56 providing at inner faces 51 and 53, respectively. Adapted to fit into the collar 52 is a stopper assembly 60, which includes a circular top plate 6i provided with a bevelled edge 62 adapted to seat in fluid tight relation on the conical seat 54 of the collar 53. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, formed. in the top plate 6l are drain openings 63, 63a, 64 and 84a, the openings 53 and 64 being disposed diametrically opposite each other and the openings 63a and 64a also being diametrically opposite. The drain opening 64 is comprised of a plurality of closely spaced slots formed in the top plate El so that this opening is, in eiTect, a strainer device for iiuid and solid materials tending to pass therethrough. The top plate 6I is also provided with a central aperture 65 through which extends a hub 66 of a handle member 61. The lower end of the hub 66 is of reduced diameter so as to receive a lower plate 13, the lower plate being retained on the hub by a suitable screw, and being retained against rotation relative to the hub.

The lower plate 10 is provided with drain apertures 1l and 12, the drain aperture 12 communicating with a depending spout 'i3 which is provided with a horizontally directed discharge orice 14. As best shown in Fig. 5, the lower plate 10 is providedI with a pair of diametrically opposite flats 15 and 13 corresponding to the ilat faces 51 and 58, respectively, on the collar 52.

The three operational positions of the stopper assembly 63 are shown in Figs. 2, 6 and '1, Fig. 5 showing a bottom view of the stopper assembly when it is in the position equivalent to that shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. l also showing the stopper assembly when it is in the position equivalent to that shown in Fig. 2. tation of the handle member 61 rotates the lower plate 13 and the drain spout 13 depending therefrom. As shown in Figs. 2, 6 and '7, the top of` the handle member 31 is provided with an arrow 18, ork other indicium, adapted to register with indicia 19, 8G or Si formed onvthe top flange 53 of the collar 52, and indicating the various operational positions of the stopper assembly, such operational positions being further indicated by-the words on, seal and drain opposite the indicia 19, 80 and Si, respectively.

Considering first the on position of the stop-- per assembly ,63 with reference to Figs. l and 2, the positions of the handle member 61 and the lower plate 13 are such that the arrow 13 is opposite the indiciurn 19 and the drain apertures 7| and. 12 in the lower plate are in registry with the drain openings G3 and 34, respectively, in the top plate 3| so that if `water is discharged into the sink i 2 from the faucet i3 it passes downwardly through the opening 33 and aperture 1l into the comminuting chamber 22 and also passes downwardly through the opening lid and aperture 12 into the depending spout 73. As best shown in Fig. 1, when the stopper assembly 631s As will be apparent, ro-

" discharge pipe it.

in its on position the'discharge orice 14 off' the depending spout 'I3 is directed toward the.'

perforations 31 leading into theriloat chamber 33 so that the water iiowing downwardly through the depending spout passes through the perforations and into the float chamber. It will be noted that when the stopper assembly B3 is in its on position, the slotted drain opening 64 in the top plate 6i serves as a strainer which prevents the passage of large pieces of waste material into the depending drain spout 13 so that su-ch waste material will not clog the perforationg 31 leading to the iioat chamber 33. The slotted drain opening 65 strains large pieces of waste material from the water flowing into the drain spout 13 only when the stopper assembly 60 is in its on position, the passage of all waste material through the drain spout being permissible when the stopper assembly is in its drain position since, as will be pointed out in more detail hereinafter, the drain spout is not directed toward the perforations 31 leading to the float chamber 33 when the stopper assembly is in the drain position. f

If the volume of water passing into the iloat chamber 33 through the perforations 31 is less than the capacity off the bleed port 35, such water will be drained from the iioat chamber through the bleed port into the annular space 24 in the hopper il and thence into the discharge pipe IB so that the float member 33 will not move. If, however, 1e volume or water entering the float chamber 33 is substantially greaterthan the.'

capacity of 'the bleed port 35, the float chamber obviously will tend to ll with water so that the water level therein will rise until it passes the center of buoyancy of the float member 38, following which the float member will move upwardly in the float chamber and will rotate about the pivot pin 52. Such movement of the float member 38 is communicated through the arms tl and 40 to the screw member 43, causing it to move downwardly as viewed in Fig. l.

derstood, energization of the motor Il in thisv vmanner causes the comminuting means (not shown) of the disposal unit i3 to operate therein.

In the event that water flowing into the iloatwv chamber 33 through the depending spout 13 and periorations 31 causes the oat chamber to overflow, because of a difference between thev rate of ilow into the iloat chamber and the rate of flow of water therefrom through the bleed port 35, such overiiow will pass over the tops 36 of the relatively low side walls 33 and 3| oiv the float chamber and will pass into the an'- nular space 2d in the oat chamber through the annular' space 23 between the horizontal flangev Z3 and the outer wall 23 of the hopper, such overow draining from the annular space 24 into the The passage thus provided by the perforations 31, the annular space 24, the

annular space 23, and the connecting discharge" pipe i6 provides a self-venting passage for backflow in the event that the waste line beyond the discharge pipe EG becomes clogged as sometimes happens. the inherent pressure of the comminnting mechanism in the comminuting chamber 23, instead of working continuously against the plug in the waste line caused by the clogging, is conveniently vented'upward thrc'iugh'l Suchv downward movement of the screw memberf43 the-,lemennortiorr` or. the.:annn1arfspace 24;.via. tbezannuiar spaccia and back;thrmighthe,per felations 3l: untirbackinaunzor `the. iva-term; the:

simeldjgivestwarning of-` thecloesingor the sewer liner.-

It; will be; apparent that; thev electric motor M,.- .willAcontiinue to'. operate so: long. as the level,

Qiwatcr` nftheyfloatchamber 33 maintains the neat-member 385m, its upper position.. If atany time the flow.: ci: Water.4 tlnough: the drain spout Restons;.duetdclosure of; the faucet IS, or due toxthe iauceta. lf3-being; directed into another compartment, off the. Sink; l2 (as Acommonly occurs in double cpmpartmenthousehold sinks) water will immediately bleedA fromtheoat chamber 33A thrQughthe b1eed=port 3.5,.; thuspermitting the gatzsrnember: 38" to drop which,` inlturn, results npeningof the-.circuit to .the motori l; through the;v mechanism: previously described. This.: con.-

struction;.inroyides asafetyreature of.; thev invenlinnnwhich prevents. the. operation of the elec.- triczmotorfll whenno water, or when any insufii cientfvolumcor water-is beingdischarged into the float chamber 33 through the drain spout 13;

Gnideringrnext theoperation of the stopper assembly Si). when, tisl in its drain position andrwasteimaterialm theisinkl2 mayfloW pastv the: stepper. assenfibly llintothe interior of the hoppen Hfwthrongh the register-ingV opening and aperture Hf and.thrflughithe registering openingslld. and apcrture.-2. It is, also to be noted that whemthe stopperassembly'fis in its drain positiony as; shown. in Fig. 7-, Vthe depending drain spout 13; is directed; away' fromthe;l perforations 31g leading; to the. float. chamber-33 so. that no uidor `Waste material passing through the drain spout-when it, is in; thispositiony can enter the iroaiiv chamber through the. periorations.` 31., this beinganimportant; feature of thev invention since mypreyentsthe perorations 3,1. frlombeng clogged bywwaste material passing through the drain spent..v It will,l .of courseLbe, apparent that since thesdrainspout ,13 isdirected. away frQm the; perforatons'l leading tothe. float chamber, 33 4when the. stopper. assembly: Ellis in its drainfV position, no.: Water enten the float chamber 33 sq that-.the electricmotor Irll cannot. be energizediwhen.thestopperasscmblyis in its drain position.

' Imorder to. permit. insertionof, the, stopper assembly Eil into theicollar, 52, or topermit removal of the stopper assembly therefrom, the lowerf-platef' of, the stopper assembly must be inlsuch; a, position that thediametrically oppositev iats-Tf anale-thereon register with the hat faces J:- and 5.8 respectively, on the collar 52. As shomni-n 7, the hats T5 and 78 are in registry withfthe-'at faces 5,1 and 58 only when the stopper assembly 60. is in.. its drain position. Conseqnently, the handle member Si must be rotated until: the arrow. 'lthereon registers with the in-.

diciinrl.v 8l. beiorethe stopper assembly El! can be removed fromor inserted in the collar 52.

. Considering. now.- the operation of the stopper assembly. lmwhen it. is in. its seal position and reierring particularly to.A Fig, 6,y as the handle mem-hemel. rotatedl into. a positionsuch that theatres 18. therecnregisters kwith. the indicium 8f 8.8i theflowermlatee. "mf is.: rotated; "unda, lposit-ien such that thefdrain apertures-f 11; and '1.2,I therein,

are out of: registry with all.: ofr'thef draini OpeningsA G3, 63o, 64, 64a in the top plate-5|; thusfterminatf-ring all communication :through the stopper-assembly between the sink l2 and:l theK hopper Il. Inits "sealposition, the stopperl assembly 6,0 merely aotsas` a drainstopper-for the sink'. IL It willv also-iy be notedthatzwhen the stopper as?. semblyv 69 is .in its seal position, the .dependingv drain spout 'i3 is directedaway,fromtheperforaa tions. 3,1 leading to. the float chamber'.J 33- so that thereI is no: possible. communication in this posi:k tion between the drainzspout and theinterior ofi, the float chamber` Thus, the stopper assembly S8. performs three principal functions; viz., itserves toenergizethe electric motorY Il, when tisin its onv position; so that .the comminuting` means, (not shown). in. theoomminuting chamber. 2 2 processes any/.waste material nowing into the Lcoznminuting chamber. from v the sink l2, it v.seiyesfas asimple drain When;` it is in .its .drain positionlto permit unobstructedflow. of water from the sink, and it, alsoseryesasl a drain plug when it is inV its lseal position to prevent flow. of water from. thesink.. It will be apparent. that since the. depending drainspout. is directed toward. the periorations3l.leadingv tothe float. chamber 3.3 only when. the stopper. assembly 6d is in its on position, the motor Il can beenergized to drive the comminuting means not shown) only whenthe stopper; assembly is; in. this position. Thus, the stopper assembly4 d0, also servesv as ,a safety device whicnplevents opf eration of the electric. motor whenever no water.

is lowinginto the disposal device to prevent..pos,-^ sible damage to the unitfrom, jamming,y in ac-v. corda-nce with the previouslyl discussed objects of my invention.

In order to prevent. operationof .the disposal unit le when the stopper assemb y 60 Vis removed' therefrom, the unit is provided vwith locking means 25.. for preventing operation of the float.v member 38, which controls the energizationof the electric motor l I,.When the stopper assembly Sii is removed. Preferably the locking means S5 prevents operation of the oat member S'under allconditions except for that in which the stopper assembly` 6s is inserted in the collar and is in its on"position as willjbe-discussed in more detail inthe following paragraph.

Referring to Figs. S'and 4, the locking means seomprises a bell; crankv memberili which in cludes rigidly interconnected arms 31 and 88,

,Y the arms of the bell crank member beingi-nterconnected by a pivot pin; 89 which is'journaled in `a'bearing- 38 formed -intheV cylindrical inner wall 2?. Thebell cra-nk member 8S is biasedfor rotation inthe clockwise direction, as viewed in- Fig. 4, by a spring Sl which is connected to the arm 38 and to the cylindrical inner-"wall 2?-, whereby the spring tends to retain the bell crank memberV in the position shown in phantom in Fig. 4 with the arm 88v thereof` engaging'. thearm- 40 to which the oat member :i8 is attached so as to prevent operation ofA the float member even though Water may be present in sufficient- Volume in the float chamber 33 to lift the oat member. In order to release the armfdlii connected: to the oat member 3B when the stopper assembly 60 is. in its' on position so that' the vfloat member 38 will befree toA energize-the electric motor H in the manner described' as the float chamber 33' fillswith waterfrthe l'cwer1p1ate 10; ofv the stopper assembly` is provided with a projection` 942, there.-

on which engages the arm 81 of the bell crank member to rotate this member into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 as the lower plate is rotated into its "on position, thereby rotating the arm 88 of the bell crank member out oi' engaement with the arm @il to which the float member 38 is connected so that the iicat member may operate to energize the electric motor II. The position of the projection t2 on the lower plate It of the stopper assembly til is such that it rotates the bell crank member 8e into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4 only when the stopper assembly is in its on position so that the electric motor I I can be energized only when the stopper assembly is in this position, and can not be energized when the stopper assembly is in any other position or is removed from the collar 52. Thus, the looking means 85 serves as an additional safety device which permits the disposal unit I to be operated only under the proper operating conditions hereinbefore set forth.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 13 of the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 8, I show a disposal unit Which is similar to the one described previously except that the stopper device M ris replaced by another stopper device |90. This stopper device includes a collar |0| which extends through the opening I9 in the sink I2 and which is threaded into the flange assembly 20, the collar being provided with an annular top iiange |03 which seats in the annular recess formed in the sink I2 as in the case of the previously described collar 52. The collar It! is so formed at its lower end as to provide a conical seat Illl and, as shown in Fig. 10, is provided with inwardly extending, diametrically opposed, horizontal lips |35 and |06 providing flat inner faces IG? and |03, respectively. Adapted to nt into the collar IGI is a stopper assembly ||0 which is generally similar to the stopper assembly t0, the assembly IIil including a circular top plate III and a circular bottom plate II2. The latter is provided with an annular groove I I 3 therein for a sealing ringv ||4 which is adapted to seat on the conical seat |04 of the collar Iti in duid-tight engagement therewith.

As best shown in Fig. ll, the top plate III is provided with drain apertures or openings 5 and I It therein, the aperture I IB comprising a plurality of closely spaced' slots formed in the top plate so that this aperture is, in effect, a strainer device for large pieces of solid material :tending to pass therethrough. The top plate I I is also provided with a central opening IIS through which extends a hub of a handle member I2I, the handle member being rigidly connected to the top plate by means of a pin |22. The hub |20 is journaled in an opening |24 in the bottom plate I2 so that the handle member |2| and the top plate III may be rotated relative to the bottom plate, which is stationary as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. The hub |20 of the handle member terminates in a generally rectangular projection |25 which extends through a complementary opening |25 in a resilient member I2I which will be described hereinafter, this resilient member being retained on the hub |20 by a cotter key |28, or the like which extends through an opening in the hub.

The lower plate I l2 is provided with drain ports |30, SBI and |32 therein with which the apertures I I5 and I It in the top plate I I are adapted to register in various combinations as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. Communicating with the port |32 in the stationary lower plate lil f ||2 and rigidly connected to the lower'plate is a depending spout |33 which is provided with a horizontally directed discharge oriiice |34 for directing water toward the perforations 3l leading to the float chamber 33, the spout |33y being generally similar to the spout i3 which was described previously, except that it is stationary and is always directed toward the periorations 3l. As best shown in Fig. l0, the lower plate I|2 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, inwardly extending, horizontal flat faces |35 and |36 corresponding to the :dat faces |27 and |08, respectively, on the collar IUI and cooperating therewith to prevent rotation of the lower plate with respect to the collar.

The various operational positions of the stopper assembly I i t are shown in Figs.` 9, 1`1 and l2, Fig. 10 being a bottom view of the stopper assembly when it is in the position equivalent to that shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. S also showing the stoper assembly when it is in the position equivalent to that shown in Fig. 9. As will readily be apparent, rotation of the handle member I2! rotates the upper plate III relative to the bottom plate I|2 to bring the apertures Ile and I I0 in the top plate into registry with the ports |30. I 3| and |32 in the lower plate in various combinations which will be discussed hereinafter. Asv shown in Figs. 9, 11 and 12, the top of the handle member |2| is provided with a pointer I 38, or other indieium, adapted to register with indicia |39, Idil or Itli formed on the top ange |03 of the collar It, and indicating the various operational positions of the stopper assembly, such operational positions being further indicated by the words -on, seal and drain opposite the indicia |39, iw and lill, respectively. It will be noted that when the stopper assembly I0 is in its on position, as shown in Fig. 9, the aperture IIE in the top plate III registers with the port I3I in the lower plate II2, and the aperture II6 in the top plate registers with the port |32 inthe lower plate. Similarly, when the stopper assembly is in its drain position, as shown in Fig. 12, the apertures I|5 and IIS in the top plate register with the ports |36 and I 3|, respectively, in the lower plate. However, when the stopper assembly is in its seal position, as shown in Fig'. l 1, the apertures in the top plate I II do not register with any of the ports in the bottom plate II2.

As best shown in Fig. 10, when the stopper assembly is in its on position, the resilient member |21, which is preferably in the form of a spring strap, engages the inwardly extending lips |05 and |06 on the collar IIlI to prevent removal of the stopper assembly from the collar for a reason which will be pointed out hereinafter. The resilient member |21 remains in engagement with the lips |05 and It when the stopper assembly IIIl is moved to its seal position, but disengages these lips when the stopper assembly is in its drain position so that the stopper assembly may be removed from the collar IOI. When the stopper assembly IIO is in its drain position, the resilient member I 21, referring to Fig. 10, is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the edge I 45 thereof is adjacent the depending spout |33, whereby the ends I 46 and |47 of the resilient member no longer engage 'the lips |05 and |06 so that the stopper assembly IIO may be withdrawn from the collar IUI. f

As best shown in Fig. 13, the lips |05 and |06 on` the collar I 0| are provided with raised cam a portions |48 which tend .to deflect the ends |46 l T. and |41 of the resilient member |21 downwardly so that the resilient member, acting through the hub |20 of the handle member |2|, draws the top plate downwardly into fluid-tight engagement with the bottom plate |I2. The ends |43 and |41 of the resilient member |21 are bent downwardly at opposite corners of the resilient member, as best shown in Fig. 1.0, so that the ends of the resilient member will ride up onto the raised cam portions |48 readily in rotating the stopper assembly |I from its drain position toward its seal position. The ends of the resilient member |21 engage the raised cam portions |48 of the lips |05 and |03 while the stopper assembly I l0 is in its seal position so as to prevent leakage of fluid between the upper plate I and the lower plate I|2 when the stopper assembly is in this position. It will be noted that the edge |49 of ,the resilient member |21 engages the spout |33 when the stopper assembly ||0 is in its on position so that in setting the stopper assembly in this position, the operator need merely rotate the handle member |2I until the resilient member engages the spout. Similarly,

the edge |45 of the resilient member |21 is adapted to engage the spout |33 when the stopper Aassembly I I0 is in its drain position to provide a positive means for locating this position.

The operation of the stopper device |00 is generally similar to that of the stopper device |4 andY need not be described in detail. In general, when the stopper assembly ||0 is in its on position wherein" the pointer |38 registerswith the indicium |39, the apertures ||5 and H5 in the upper plate register with the drain ports |3I and |32, respectively, in the bottom plate ||2 as shown in Figs. `9 and 10. Thus, any water in the sink I2 passes downwardly through the registering openings vI I5 and I3 Land also passes downwardly through the registering openings IIS and |32 into the depending spout |33. The water flowing through the spout |33, which is sta-f tionary and is always directed toward the perforations 3,1 leading into the'iioat chamber' 33, enters the oat chamber through these vperforaf tions to operate the main switch device I5 in the manner previously described. VIt. will be noted that when the stopper assembly ||0 is in its on position, the slotted drain aperturev IISl in the upper plate ||I serves as a strainer which prevents the passage of large pieces of waster material into the drain spout |33 `so that such pieces will n o't clog the7 perforaticns 31 leading to the oat chamber 3.3. However, the waste material to beV comminuted may be carried into the come niinuting chamber 22- by water flowing down-.- wardly through the registering opening |I5, and |3I. The. remainder of the operation of the disposal unit |0 when the stopper device (l0. is em. ployed in connection therewith is similar to its operation when the stopper device I4 is used and will not be considered further herein.

Considering the operation of the. stopper device |00 when the stopper assembly ||0 is in its drain position; it will be noted that the positions of the handle |2I and the upper plate II I are such that the pointer |38. registers with the indiciurn |4| and the drain apertures ||5 and IIB` in the top plate. register with the ports |30 and |3.|, respectively, in; the bottom plate. H2, all as shown in Fig. 12. Thus, any water and waste material in the sink I2 may flow past theA stopper assembly I I0 into the interior of the hopper I1 through the registering aperture ||j5A and port |30 and through the registering aperturey IIE andport I 3 I". It is alsoto be noted that' when l2 thestopper assembly |I0 is in--lts drain posi tion, as shown in Fig. 12, the port |32 in the bot tom plate ||2 which leads 'to the spout |33 is closed by the top plate so that no iluid or waste material may enter the spout. -Consequently, any possibility of clogging the perforations 31 leading to the float chamber 33 with waste material while the stopper assembly ||0 is in its drain position is eliminated. It will, of course, be apparent that since the drain spout |33 is closed when the stopper assembly i|0 is in its drain position, no water can enter the float chamber 33 so that the electric Lmotor cannot be energized.

In order to permit insertion of the stopper assembly |||l into the collar I|'||, or to permit removal of the stopper assembly therefrom, the stopper assembly must be in its drain position so that the ends |46 and |41 of the resilient member |21A clear the inwardly extending lips |05 and |06 on the-collar as previously discussed. Consequently, the handle member |2| must .be rotated until the pointer |38 therein registers with the indicium |41 before the stopper assembly |I0 can be removed from or inserted in the ycollar lili.

When the handle member |2| of the stopper device |00 is rotated into a position such that the pointer |38 thereon is in registry with the indicium |40 as shown in Fig. 11, the stopper as sembly H0 is in its seal position and. in *this position,the apertures A||5 and II'tl in the top plate do not register'wth any of the ports |39, |3|,or |32 in the bottom plate |I2. Also. when the stopper assembly is'in its seall position, the ends |43 and |41 of the resilient member |21 are inengagement with'the raised cam por. tions |138 on the lips |05 and |06 so that the resilient member |21 urges the top plate ||I downwardly into fluid-tight engagement with the bottom plate. Consequently, no uid can flow past the stopper assembly Il@ when it is in its seal position so that the stopper device m0 acts as a simple drain stopper for the sink |2.

Thus, the stopper assembly I lperiorms three principal functions, viz., it serves to energize the electric motor II when it is in its on" position so that the comminuting means (not shown)l in the chamber 22 processes any .waste material owing into this chamber from the sinky l2; it serves as a simple drain when it is in its drainposition to permit unobstructed flow ofv water from the sink, and it also serves as a drain plug when it is in its seal position to prevent 'flow' of water from the sink. It will be apparent' that since water may ow into. the depending drain spout |33 only when the stopper assembly H0 is in its ontposition, water may enter the float chamber 33 through the perforations 31 to energize the motor II only when the stopper assembly isin this position; Thus, the stopper device |03, as in the case of the stopper device I4 which was described previously,` serves as a safety device which prevents operation ofthe electric motor whenever no 'water is flowing into the disposal device' to prevent possible damage to the unit from jamming 'as` previously discussed.

Although I have'shown and described onlyl two embodiments of the invention, `it will be apparent that modications in the construction disclosed may be made without departing from the' spirit ofthe invention. For example,` although I have shown the .float chamber4 3 3 adjacent the upper inlet end of: the hopper 1'1', itwill be apparentthat the iloat chamber' may be disposed as 'desired so' '13 'as to control the' operation of 'the main switch device I by water passing through any desired portion of the disposal unit I0. Thus, the iioat chamber 33 may be disposed adjacent the discharge pipe I E, if desired, so that the main switch inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to cornminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining a float chamber; fioat means in said float chamber; means for conveying fiuid from said opening to said float chamber so as to move said float means therein; and means operatively connecting said float means and said switch means so that movement of said float means actuates said switch means.

2. In a waste disposal device, the combination of hopper means having an opening therein through which waste material and a fluid can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining .a float chamber, said walls having a bleed opening in'the lower portion thereof adapted to permit fluid to drain from said chamber; float means in said oat chamber; means for conveying fiuid from said opening to said float chamber in such volume as to cause said float means to move in one direction therein, said iioat means being adapted to move in the other direction when the means in said one direction closes said switch ymeans to energize said power means, and so that movement of said iioat means in said other direction opens said switch means to deenergize said power means.

3. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: hopper means having an opening therein through which waste material and a fiuid can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining a float chamber adjacent said hopper means, said walls having a bleed opening communicating between said chamber and the 1interior of said hopper means; float means in said float chamber; means for conveying fluid from said opening to -said float chamber so as to move said float means therein; and means operatively connecting said float means and said switch means so that movement of said float means actuates said switch means.

4. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: hopper means having an opening therein `through which waste material and a fiuid can be inserted into said hopper means and a discharge pipe through which fluid and comminuted material can be conveyed from said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining a float chamber adjacent said hopper means, said walls having an inlet opening communicating between the interior of said hopper and said float chamber, said walls having an outlet opening communicating between said chamber and-said discharge pipe; iioat means in said oat chamber; means for directing a uid to said float chamber through said inlet opening from said hopper so to move said float means therein; and means operatively connecting said float means and said switch means so that movement of said' iioat means actuates said switch means.

5. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: hoppers means having an opening therein through which waste material can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in. said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; a stopper device for said opening, said stopper device having channel means for directing a flow of fluid therethrough and actuating means connected with said switch means and carried by said hopper means adjacent the path of owing iiuid and responsive te and energizable by a predetermined fiow of fiuid to actuate said switch means, said stopper means being selectively movable to a first position to direct iiuid to said switch actuating means or to a second position to withhold fluid from said switch actuating means.

6. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: hopper means having an opening therein through which waste material can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating .said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; a stopper device for said opening, said stopper 'device having channel means for directing a iow of fluid therethrough and actuating means connected with said switch means and carried by said hopper means adjacent the path of flowing uid and responsive to and energizable by a predetermined flow of uidA to actuate said switch means, said stopper device being selectively movable to a rst position to direct fiuid to said switch actuating means or to a second position to direct fluid away from said switch actuating means or to a third position to block fluid flow through said channel means, said stopper device having closure means turnable with respect to said channel means to said third position to close said channel means and thereby effect said blocking of said fluid flow through said channel means.

7. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: hopper means having an opening therein through which waste material can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining a float chamber, there being an inlet opening communicating between said chamber and .the

15 .anterior'ofsaidhopper'means;-oatinieansnfsain `'o'at chamber; 'ineens 'operatively connecting -fs'ai'd float means and -:said switch means so 'that imo'vem'ent :of fsa'id float 'means "a'c'tuates "said `switch me'ans; and fa stopper device for said I(opening, lls'aid yf'stopp'-er. device having channel .m'e'ans '.for=.directing va lflow v"of 'uii'd therefrom `through #said inlet` 'opening into ls'aid Vfl'o'at -lcnambein`v y -f8 In-fa wastefdisposal device, 'the combination yvof: hopper means `having "an opening therein 'throughwhich waste-material 'can `lbe inserted `-i-ntofsaid-rhopper lmeans; comminuting means in Lsaidhopperme'an's, adapted "to comm-imite lvfa'st'e materialithereinl; Vpower Arn'eans'fo'r operating-s aid connniriuting means; switch means for energizfing-f-saidlpower -means; walls denn-ing a vii'oat chamber, there :being 'aninlet opening 'communi'catn'g between isaid .chamber 'and vthe interior ofisaidihcpperfineans; -float means insaid 'float chamber; means operatively `connecting said .iiioatm'ea'ns and said switch means 'so that movement of said 'oa't means a'ctuates -said .switch means; and .'a'fstcpper device for said opening,

1said-Stopper device having channel means for lrlireotiifig1-a owif'of "fluid therefrom through `said inlet opening into said iioat chamber,A said fstopper zrn'eans -bcin'g selectively -movable to a iirstposition i in which 'fluid' now-ing through said y"cl'ian'nel means Ais directed through vsaid inlet openin'g'or to a second vposition in which uid do'ving-thron'gh 'said channel means is direc-ted 'away ifromisaid inletfopening.

9.111 awastefdi'sposal-de'vicc, the combination oft hopper t'inea-ns hav-ing an opening therein y;

throu'ghwhi'ch waste-material can be inserted Tinto 'said hopper means; -comminuting means in said .hopper lm'e'a'ns, 'adapted' to 4comminute waste lmat'eri'al'therein; power -rnea'ns for operating said comminuting means; l'switch means for energiz- Jing said power means; walls deiining -a float tcliar'nber, fthe're being an inlet vo'pe'niru-g commn'nicatin'g between fsaid chamber and the interio'r f'oisaidhop'pe'r means; 'float means in said filo'a't "cha'rnber; means operatively connecting fsaiddioat means and said Switch 'means so that movement fof'v said loat means actuates vsaid switch'means; and a stopper device for 'saidfop'ene i-ng,said '-stoppe'r 'device having channel 'means Vfordirecting' a' low'of 'flu-id therefrom through v-'saidfinletopening into said oa't chamber, said stoppen-means being selectively movable 'to a ms'tiposition in :which-fluid flowing through said channel v'meal-1s is 'directed through said inlet opening for to `a second position in which fluid flowing through said channel means is directed 'awayfifromffsaid inlet opening or to 'a third'posih -tion in which uid is prevented `from iiowing through said channel means.

flo. v'[n A'cor'r'ibinationz a drain opening rcollar providing'an annular, upwardly faced seat; and a'drainstopper including a plate adapted to rest 'n'sa'i'd seat, s'a'id plate having a-downwardly faced annular groove therein and an annular sealing ,Y

ring disposed in said groove and engaging said upwardly faced seat, and -a second plate rotatably disposed upon the rst mentioned plate, said plates having ports adapted to register 'in one position,said ports being movable to positionsiof non-registry-by relative rotation of said plates, said stopper including an angularly directed spout depending from the under `side of ythe yfirst mentioned 'plate at a .port therein for receiving liquid therefrom and directing such liduid-later`al -iv away rom thel I axis' of fsad `collar? fandv said stopper. n

i111. -a stopper device, the combination fof: a bottom 'pleite -adapted-tb "seat in'a'n opening and having "a `drain port ltherein; "a 'top plate 'rhov'a'- 'ble relative 4"to Asaid bottom plate andfh'avingfan 'lpcrtije therein which adalpte'd t lgs'te'r Wi'thsaid'draii-fpdrt;ahgulaily directed d d'- ing spout m ans lieu by said bottom and c'him'hictin'g "with said diallfriu'di'tifi3`k4 eceivingliquidfiorn' saiddran p'ort'of lsaid bottom plate and "directing the liquid `a'ng'ulalfly ay from the axis of Tsaidplats; and rn'ans fo v"- ing said top plate relative to saidlbottom late so as to vary the position fofisaid apertiiie with respect t'o fs'aid drainpo'rt.

1-2. In a drain stopper vd'e\`fice,ft'he combination of: fa drain openingcollariproviding'-anfafniiular seat; and fa drain stopper adapted A-t'o '-s'eat on said annular seat, said stopper hav-ing '1a-3depending spout direct-'ed angularlyfrom 'the ffaxi's of said drain's'topper and V'adaptedto co'nv'eyi'a fluid through said stopper and laterally "with respect Vto said vlcollar, and hav-ing means for varying the position of 'said "s'pout frelative`-to said collar when said Astopperis 'seated-'onfs'aid collar.

I3. `Ina drain 'stopper' device, the combination of: a drain opening collarprovidingan an nular seat, said collar provided with 'lrstli'nterlooking niean's in f' theffoiin of fan :inwardly 'extending 11p of limited circumferential extent; a drain stopper adaptedto Asea-tron "said-'annular seat, said vdrain 'stopperhaving lmeans `-f'o'r "'d'etach'ablyl inter-(locking *the "same in "'x'ed position under said lip relative tof-Sad' Seat v'ar'djli'aving,r a cut-away portion 'todisengagejsai'd lip upon rotation; drainsp'ou't means carried by said stopper and dependingjtherefrorn; and'r'n'eansjfo'r 'varying the position of said 4spout means lrela'- tive to 'said stopper, Said nterlocking'fme'ans holding 'said kspout means in one'position of "ad- 'justment i 14. `In "a drain stopper'jdevice, the 'combinatio'n of: "a t'o'pI plate adapted'to'fseat in 'an fopen*- ing', said top"plate`havingan v4ape'rtiire therew; a bottom "plate rotatably "associated rwith said 'top plate, and having a drain port therein; Yspout mean "caried'bys'aid bottom 'plate *and depending therefrom, :saidsp'o'ut rneans being oi'fset'frorn the axis of rotation 'of "said bottom plate 'and coin'- rnuni'catiii'g with said drain po'rt and being'a'ngue larly directed away from 'said axis'to direct 'liquid outward tow'a-rdthe 'side of a've'ssel V( :arrvin'g' 'said stopper device; and means for rotatingl 'said both torn plate relative to Ysaid topplate so as to vary the position'of said spoutinea'ns 'relative to said top plate.

l5. In a 'waste disposal device, the combina'- tio'n of amain chamber; Y'cominut-Jing mea'ns in said main chamber, adapted to comminte waste material therein; `an electric motor adapted 7Vto energize `said comminuting means; inlet m'e'an's at'the upper end of `said 'main chamber; discharge means communicatingwitn the lower end o: said nia-in chamber; vfloat chamber means commu 'nicating 'with-said 'inlet means `and with said Ad'i's'- charge means, said 'float ch'amb'e'r'ine'ansbein'g 'adapted "to 'receive liquid introduced int'o Said main chamber and being 'so disposed that any liquid overflow 'thereof 'passes into said discharge means; `float means in said "flo'at chamber and adapted to be moved in'res'ponse'to 'arise in'li'duid level therein; 'and switch 'means electrically con necte'd to said 'electric ffotoran mechanically germer* 17" connected to said oat means, s'that movement of said float means opens or closes said switch means. i

16. In a waste-disposal device, the combination of: hopper means having an opening through which waste material can be inserted into said hopper means; comminuting means in said hopper means, adapted to comminute waste material therein; power means for operating said comminuting means; switch means for energizing said power means; walls defining a liquid chamber, there being an inlet opening communicating between said chamber and the interior of said hopper means; operating means connected to said switch means and operative in response to a predetermined change in the water level in one direction in said chamber to actuate said switch means to energize said motor and operative in response to a predetermined change in the water level in another direction to actuate said switch means to cle-energize said motor; and a stopper device for said opening, said stopper device having channel means for directing a flow a iluid therefrom through said inlet opening into said chamber.

17. In a drain stopper device, the combination of plate means adapted to be inserted into a sink opening so as to close the same, said plate means having port means therethrough adapted to permit liquid to pass through said plate means; and a depending spout movably mounted on the under side of said plate means and adapted to be moved to a first position in which it registers with said port means and to a second position in which it is out of register with said port means, said spout having a discharge orice in the lower portion of said spout and in one side thereof adapted to direct liquid flowing through said spout radially outwardly relative to said sink opening.

18. In a household waste disposal apparatus having a stopper device adapted to seat in the drain opening of a sink, the combination of a first substantially circular plate member having a rst opening therethrough; a second substantially circular plate member having a second opening therethrough, one of said plate members being disposed above the other, one of said plate members being adapted to be seated in the drain opening of a sink; means rotatably connecting one of said plate members to the other; handle means connected to one of said plate means for rotating said last mentioned one of said plate means relative to the other, said last mentioned plate means being rotatable from a rst position in which one of said openings communicates with the other to permit a now of liquid therethrough to a second position in which liquid communication between said openings is closed; spout means connected to one of said plate members and depending therefrom and communicating with the opening in said last mentioned one of said plate member, said spout means being directed laterally away from the axis of said plate members; and a reservoir in said apparatus and disposed laterally from said axis in position` to receive liquid from said spout means.

19. In a stopper device for a household waste disposal apparatus, the stopper device being adapted to seat in the drain opening of a sink, the combination of z a rst substantially circular plate member having a first opening therethrough; a second substantially circular plate member having a second opening therethrough, one of said plate members being disposed above the other, one of said plate members being adapted to be seated in the drain opening-vof a' sink; means rotatably connecting one of said plate members to the other; handle means connected to one of said plate means for rotating said last mentioned one of said plate means relative to the other, said last mentioned plate means being rotatable from a first position in which one Y of said openings communicates with the other to n permit a now of liquid therethrough to a second position in which liquid communication between said openings is closed; and spout means connected to one of said plate members and depending therefrom and communicating with the opening in said last mentioned one of said plate members, said spout means having an orifice adjacent its lower end and being disposed so as to direct a flow of liquid passing through said spout meansY at an angle with respect to the axis of saidv stopper device.

motor driven grinder in the casing and a discharge beyond the grinder, that improvement which includes a movable water directing member in the casing in the path of water ilow thereinto, a Water confining passage carried by the..

casing with an inlet adjacent said member and an outlet adjacent the grinder, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, in

at least one of which it directs wateruto the inlet of, said passage,l andr a grinder, drive controller connected with said passage operable to actuate the drive for the grinder upon a predetermined flow of water in said passage.

21. A garbage grinder unit of the type adapted to be connected to the drain of a sink comprising a iitting for connection to the sink drain, a waste and water chamber below the fitting, a grinder below the chamber, a motor for driving the grinder, a water confining passage alongside the chamber, said passage opening into said chamber immediately beneath said fitting and having an outlet adjacent said grinder, a motor control element in connection with said passage operable to start said motor to drive said grinder upon a predetermined ilow of water in the passage, and a manually operable directional flow controller in said fitting, said ilow controller having a water directing trough and being optionally movable to any oi' three positions.

22. In a waste grinding and disposal unit of the type which has a water supply thereto, said unit having a waste and water receiving casing, means for introducing water into the casing, a motor-driven grinder in the casing and a discharge beyond the grinder, that improvement which includes a movable water directing member in the casing in the path of water flow thereinto, a water conning passage carried by the casing with an inlet adjacent said member and an outlet above the grinder, said member being movable between a plurality of positions, in at least one of which it directs water to the inlet of said passage, and a grinder drive controller in said passage operable to actuate the drive for the grinder upon a predetermined now of water in said passage, whereby the grinder may operate only upon a proper amount of ilow of water in a proper direction downstream of the water directing member.

23. In a waste disposal device, the combination of: housing means providing a comminuting chamber and having an opening adjacent the anyone? top thereof for the introduction of Waste mav terial and a ushing liquid intog said, chamber.; comminuting means within said housing means to disintegrate` waste material therein; power means for operating saidv comminuting means; discharge means leading from Asaid housing means and. comminuting chamber to discharge flushing liquid and disintegrated material` from. the device;` reservoir. means. carried by said housing. means apart from said chamber and saidv discharge means to. accumulate in said reservoir` means at leastk a predetermined body of said ushing. liquid, said` reservoir means having a discharge therefrom,- means to by-pass. a portion of said introduced` flushing liquid. into said reservoir means,I said by-pass means including stopper means for said opening and having means to direct liquidrto saidreservoir means and relatively movable closing means to move withrespect to said liquid-directing means and cut off liquid flow to said liquid-directing means;` and control means operatively connected with said power means to control thev latter,v said control means being carried by said device and connected with said reservoir means to be actuated by said accumulated, predetermined body of liquid and thereby control said power means.

24. A combination as in. claim 23 wherein said. liquid-directing means and movable closing means have registrable ports to pass liquidto said chamber and. being movable to positions of non-registration to out off `liquid flow from. said chamber.-

25. A combination as in claim 23 wherein said control means4 includesswtch means for said power means,- and means. connected.- with. said References Cited in the le of this patent.

UNITED STATESv PATENTS Number Name Date 803,814 Duiy Nov. 7, 1905 831,767 Boden Sept. 25, 1906 965,510 Franta July 26, 1910 984,259 Beck Feb'. 14, 1911 1,122,715 Hall Dec. 29, 1914 1,431,066 Rodgers Oct. 31, 1922 1,622,652 Lang Mar. 29, 1927 1,660,910' Lamm Feb. 21, 1923 1,671,115' Linnmann, Jr; May 29, 1928 1,852,123 Lutsky Api'. 5, 1932 1,894,407 Lutsky Jan. 17, 1933 1,967,607' Charmatz July 24, 1934 21,012,680 Hammesf Aug. 27', 1935 2,166,273 Ulmer July 18, 1939 2,185,037 Powersl Dec. 26, 1939 2,220,729 Powers Nov. 5, 1940 2,221,972 Jones, et a-l Nov. 19, 1940 2,292,402? Powers June 3, 1941 2,30%,303 Ferguson Dec. 8, 1942 2,354,282 Shaw July 25, 1944 2,428,420 Green Oct. 7, 1947 2,442,812 Jordan June 8, 1948 2,469,205 Powers May 3, 1949 2,591,388 Trotter Apr. 1, 1952 

